Socio-Economic Impacts of Informal Sector Economy

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Characteristics and growth of urban informal sector in India and West Bengal. 3. Nature, magnitude and causes of growth of urban informal sector in Siliguri Municipal Corporation Area. 4. Income, employment and living conditions of rickshaw pullers and construction workers. 5. Characteristics of migrant rickshaw pullers and construction workers. 6. Consequences of migration of rickshaw pullers and construction workers on their household economy and of Siliguri corporation area. 7. Need for social security in these two sectors in SMCA. 8. Summary, conclusion and suggestions. Selected bibliography. Index.

"The interest in unorganised sector was created in our mind by witnessing the role and the potentiality of this sector in the development process of the developing countries. This sector has become an important segment of the economy of the developing world. In spite of the rapid industrialization and expansion of the formal sector the urban areas of the developing world have failed to provide employment to all those who have migrated to the cities and the towns in search of employment. However the large number of rural migrants to the urban areas seems to have created their own employment opportunities by engaging themselves in various informal activities. In spite of multi facet growth profile of the informal sector national and state governments have overlooked its interest and infrastructure requirements in their development strategies.

This book explores various facets of socio-economic impacts on the society and on lives of unorganised migrant workers working under informal sector economy. Scholars and researchers working on informal sector economy will find the findings and results of this book useful to them." (jacket)